Direct answer
Expect $9–$75 at Tanning Lotion Cost. The full documented set runs $5–$139.99 because it also covers add-ons, policy charges and package pricing. The median across all 25 documented amounts is $24.
UV bed - level 1 is priced on time and product, not on a fixed rate card, and that is why two quotes in the same city can differ by 51% for the same service name.
- Working range
- $9–$75
- U.S. market midpoint
- $11 per session
- Basis
- 25 price points documented from official sources
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
The short version
- $9–$75 is the working range for Tanning Lotion Cost, from 25 documented amounts.
- The full documented set spans $5–$139.99 once fees and add-ons are counted.
- The U.S. national median for uv bed - level 1 is $11 per session.
- Add about 25% to any menu price for sales tax and gratuity.
- Maintained twice weekly in season, the annual cost is approximately $528.
- The largest single variable is equipment level — higher levels shorten session time and raise the price.
Documented price lines, service by service
These 25 lines come from published sources and are grouped by what they actually are. Averaging a penalty charge in with service prices is how misleading "average" figures come about, so they are listed on a separate line.
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy walk-in session | $9 | $9 | — | Electric Beach Tanning |
| Single session | $9–$27 | $18 | $18 | Planet Tan; Hollywood Tans |
| TanCard setup fee | $10 | $10 | — | Electric Beach Tanning |
| Hybrid walk-in session | $15 | $15 | — | Electric Beach Tanning — Iowa |
| Premier One starting price | $19.99 | $19.99 | — | As low as; location and service choice vary |
| Entropy walk-in session | $24 | $24 | — | Electric Beach Tanning — Iowa |
| Spray tan | $25–$29 | $27 | $4 | Electric Beach Tanning |
| Wellness first-month offer | $29.99 | $29.99 | — | Zoom Tan |
| Five-session package | $35–$75 | $55 | $40 | Planet Tan |
| Spray session price range | $35–$45 | $40 | $10 | Zoom Tan |
| Natural spray tan | $42 | $42 | — | Tan Your Hide |
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Pod add-on | $5 | $5 | — | Equipment/add-ons may vary by location |
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership freeze fee | $5 | $5 | — | Glo Tanning; Totally Tan & Spa |
| Lux One membership | $19.95 | $19.95 | — | Glo Tanning |
| Fast membership example | $19.99 | $19.99 | — | Sun Tan City — Louisville Highlands |
| Spray membership advertised starting price | $19.99 | $19.99 | — | Palm Beach Tan |
| VIP membership starting price | $24.95 | $24.95 | — | Image Sun Tanning Centers |
| Sun membership | $39 | $39 | — | Zoom Tan |
| Sun membership monthly | $39 | $39 | — | Zoom Tan |
| Instant membership example | $39.99 | $39.99 | — | Sun Tan City — Louisville Highlands |
| Premier Choice membership | $49.99 | $49.99 | — | Location-selected pricing; auto-bill; tax extra |
| Premier Signature membership | $79.99 | $79.99 | — | Location-selected pricing; auto-bill; tax extra |
| Premier Elite membership | $109.99 | $109.99 | — | Location-selected pricing; auto-bill; tax extra |
| Premier All Access membership | $139.99 | $139.99 | — | Location-selected pricing; auto-bill; tax extra |
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup fee | $29 | $29 | — | For cited location/plan; tax extra |
One location's price is not evidence of a national rate. Verify locally before booking.
Market ranges: what everyone else charges
These are U.S. market ranges compiled from published industry pricing data, not figures published by any single brand. They tell you where a quote lands nationally.
| Service | Market low | National median | Market high | Unit | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV bed - level 1 | $6 | $11 | $18 | per session | Base-level bed, longest exposure time. |
| UV bed - level 2 | $10 | $16 | $26 | per session | Faster bronzing bed. |
| UV bed - level 3 | $15 | $23 | $36 | per session | High-pressure or hybrid equipment. |
| UV bed - level 4/5 | $22 | $34 | $55 | per session | Top-tier beds and stand-ups. |
| Spray tan (booth) | $25 | $45 | $75 | per session | Booth is lower-priced; hand airbrush costs more. |
| Airbrush tan (technician) | $40 | $65 | $120 | per session | Technician-applied and contourable. |
| Red-light session | $15 | $28 | $50 | per session | Wellness service, not a tanning service. |
Market ranges are planning estimates compiled from published U.S. pricing data. They are not quotes and are not attributable to any brand named on this page.
Regional price bands for this service
Location is generally the largest single variable. The national median for uv bed - level 1 is $11; the same appointment can land near $8 in a small market and $19 in a top-tier metro. That is a 2.5× spread on an identical service name.
| Market tier | Planning range | Multiplier | Example markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 - highest-cost metros | $15–$19 | 1.35–1.75× | Manhattan, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Miami Beach |
| Tier 2 - large metros | $12–$15 | 1.10–1.32× | Chicago, Los Angeles suburbs, Denver, Austin, Atlanta, San Diego, Portland |
| Tier 3 - mid-size metros | $10–$12 | 0.94–1.10× | Columbus, Kansas City, Charlotte, Nashville, Phoenix, Indianapolis |
| Tier 4 - small metro and rural | $8–$10 | 0.70–0.93× | Smaller cities, county seats and rural markets |
Your own market may sit between tiers. The point is the 2.5x spread, not the exact figure in any one row.
Why your quote differs from the menu
Ranking these matters. Most of us compare the headline price of two salons and overlook the four lines below it that really determine the bill.
- Equipment level+$8–$40
Higher levels shorten session time and raise the price.
- Single session versus packagesaves 15–45%
Packages and memberships change the per-session cost sharply.
- Session length bookedaffects time, not the menu price
Longer slots on lower-level beds cost less per minute.
- Solution or lotion+$20–$90
Sold alongside almost every tanning service.
Related cost breakdowns: Annual Tanning Cost, Stand Up Tanning Cost and Tanning Package Cost.
Twelve months of uv bed - level 1, priced out
Most budgets break at the cadence, not the price. UV bed - level 1 maintained twice weekly in season works out to roughly $528 a year once gratuity is included.
| Provider level | Each visit | Visits/yr | Service spend | Gratuity | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget provider | $6 | 40 | $240 | $48 | $288 |
| National median | $11 | 40 | $440 | $88 | $528 |
| Premium provider | $18 | 40 | $720 | $144 | $864 |
Gratuity is included at 20% because it is not optional in reality. Remove it if you prefer to budget on a separate line.
Dropping one visit per year saves around $13. Dropping the cadence by a quarter saves about $132. Compare that against what you would save by moving to a less expensive provider before you switch.
Membership break-even: the only maths that matters
The honest test is your sensible visit count, not your intended one. Most people overestimate by 30–50%. Take the number below and check it against how you behaved last quarter.
| Monthly plan | Per-visit rate | Break-even | Annual visits needed | Annual cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15 / month | $11 | 1.4 visits | 16 visits | $180 | Worthwhile above 1.4/month |
| $24 / month | $11 | 2.2 visits | 26 visits | $288 | Worthwhile above 2.2/month |
| $35 / month | $11 | 3.2 visits | 38 visits | $420 | Worthwhile above 3.2/month |
Uses a $11 market per-visit rate. Substitute the rate you were actually quoted.
You can run your own break-even against your actual visit count.
Tipping: the numbers rather than the etiquette
Percentages are hard to judge in the moment. Below they are converted into actual dollars at the low, middle and high end of the market range.
| Gratuity rate | On $6 | On $11 | On $18 | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | $0.90 | $1.65 | $2.70 | Standard for a satisfactory service |
| 18% | $1.08 | $1.98 | $3.24 | Common default in mid-size and large metros |
| 20% | $1.20 | $2.20 | $3.60 | Typical for a stylist you intend to rebook with |
| 25% | $1.50 | $2.75 | $4.50 | Reserved for complex colour, long appointments or a rescue job |
- A no-show or late-cancellation fee is a penalty, not a service. It is not tipped.
- On a $11 service, the difference between an 18% and a 20% tip is $0.22. It matters less than whether you tip at all.
- Tip the same on a redo as on the original if the redo was not the provider's fault - and speak to management rather than the provider if it was.
- Assistants who shampoo or rinse are often tipped separately, generally a few dollars.
Avoid these ahead of booking
All five are common, avoidable and quantified. Not one requires negotiation — just one question asked at the right time.
- 1Buying a package before knowing your session cadencecosts $40–$150
Packages expire at many salons.
- 2Comparing session prices across different bed levelscosts $10–$40
Level 1 and level 4 are not the same product.
If you want the policy detail behind these: Prepare For UV Tanning and UV Tanning Aftercare.
The booking script, word for word
Read these out. The whole thing takes a minute or two and it is the difference between a quote and a surprise. The last one matters most — a written quote settles any dispute at checkout.
- "Can you email or text me the quote before my appointment?"
- "What is your cancellation window, and what is the charge if I miss it?"
- "If I join the membership today, is there an enrolment or annual fee on top?"
- "Is removal of my existing product included, or is it a separate charge?"
- "Is a shampoo, blow-dry or finish included in that price, or billed separately?"
- "Which provider tier is that quote for, and what does the next tier up cost?"
- "Is there a first-visit offer or a package rate I should know about?"
At checkout: check the itemised total against the quote before paying. Corrections are straightforward at the desk and nearly impossible afterwards.
The realistic total, worked through
Work it forwards once and you will never be caught out again. A $39 service does not cost $39.
| Line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base service | $39 | The line you see on the menu |
| One typical add-on | $9 | Accepted at the chair without a stated price |
| Subtotal | $48 | Before tax and gratuity |
| Sales tax at 8.0% | $3.84 | Varies by state and city; services are taxable in some states only |
| Gratuity at 20% | $9.60 | Calculated on the service, not on tax |
| Sensible total | $61.44 | 58% above the menu price |
Worked at a $39 base with one add-on. Swap in your own quote and the proportions hold.
Takeaway: budget $61 when the board says $39. The difference is $22.
You can try it with your own figures rather than doing this by hand.
Worth comparing before you commit
The number alone seldom determines it. Start with what is included — what is actually included — and only then the price.
What people want to know before booking
Tanning Lotion Cost: what should I expect to pay?
The working range is $9–$75, drawn from 25 published amounts. 11 of those are core services; the rest are add-ons, memberships or fees that should not be averaged in. The median documented line is $24.
How much is membership freeze fee?
Membership freeze fee is documented at $5. Glo Tanning; Totally Tan & Spa. Which puts it below the $11 national median for uv bed - level 1.
Salt Pod add-on: what is the published amount?
Documented at $5 for salt pod add-on. Equipment/add-ons may vary by location. Published lines like this are re-checked on a schedule and can change without notice.
What does canopy walk-in session cost?
$9. Electric Beach Tanning. Expect roughly $11 once tax and gratuity are added, where gratuity applies.
Single session: what is the published amount?
Expect $9–$27 for single session, midpoint $18. Planet Tan; Hollywood Tans. Ask which end of that band your booking lands at before you commit.
What is the real out-the-door cost of Tanning Lotion Cost?
Expect about $54 on a $42 booking. Tax and gratuity alone add close to $12, and that is with no upgrades.
What is the annual cost of Tanning Lotion Cost?
Roughly $528 a year at 40 visits (twice weekly in season), gratuity included. That figure is far more useful than the $11 per-visit price when deciding whether to commit.
Why can two salons quote such different prices?
Because the service name is not the service scope. Two locations quoting $9 and $15 may be selling different appointment lengths, provider tiers and inclusions under an identical label.
Where do these numbers come from?
Use them as a starting point, not a guarantee. Published lines trace to the sources below and market bands are national estimates - neither is a booking guarantee. Last checked August 2026.
Sources and how we checked them
9 sources were reviewed for this page. Official brand pages are used for brand claims only; nothing here extrapolates one location's menu into a national rate.
- Official pricing and rewardsLocation-selected membership prices · updated 2026
- Official FAQStarting membership and price variation · updated 2026
- Official membership storeMonthly and annual prices · updated 2026
- Official pricingMembership pricing · updated 2026
- Risks of tanningUV risk facts · updated 2026
- Tanning overviewUV risks · updated 2026
- Sunless tanners and bronzersWarning and sunscreen limitation · updated 2026
- Official membership freeze informationMonthly freeze charge and store-credit treatment · updated 2026
- Official shared VIP membershipShared monthly membership price and cancellation flexibility · updated 2026
Spotted something out of date? Send a correction and we will re-check the source.
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
Tanning Lotion Cost: what should I expect to pay?
The working range is $9–$75, drawn from 25 published amounts. 11 of those are core services; the rest are add-ons, memberships or fees that should not be averaged in. The median documented line is $24.
How much is membership freeze fee?
Membership freeze fee is documented at $5. Glo Tanning; Totally Tan & Spa. Which puts it below the $11 national median for uv bed - level 1.
Salt Pod add-on: what is the published amount?
Documented at $5 for salt pod add-on. Equipment/add-ons may vary by location. Published lines like this are re-checked on a schedule and can change without warning.
What does canopy walk-in session cost?
$9. Electric Beach Tanning. Expect around $11 once tax and gratuity are added, where gratuity applies.
Single session: what is the published amount?
Expect $9–$27 for single session, midpoint $18. Planet Tan; Hollywood Tans. Ask which end of that band your booking lands at before you commit.
What is the real out-the-door cost of Tanning Lotion Cost?
Expect about $54 on a $42 booking. Tax and gratuity alone add close to $12, and that is with no upgrades.
What is the annual cost of Tanning Lotion Cost?
Approximately $528 per year at 40 visits (twice weekly in season), gratuity included. That figure is far more useful than the $11 per-visit price when deciding whether to commit.
Why can two salons quote such different prices?
Because the service name is not the service scope. Two locations quoting $9 and $15 may be selling different appointment lengths, provider tiers and inclusions under an identical label.
Where do these numbers come from?
Use them as a starting point, not a guarantee. Published lines trace to the sources below and market bands are national estimates - neither is a booking guarantee. Last checked August 2026.
Last reviewed . Prices change without notice — report a correction.